MENDOKORO RAMENBA is the “serious ramen” reincarnation of Ramen Yushoken in Makati, by Elbert Cuenca and Ryan Cruz. The concept is inspired by the authentic ramen houses in Japan. They strictly serve ramen only, limited to 80-100 bowls daily, and just for dine-in during lunch or dinner. They now serve unlimited bowls daily from 11.00am to 11.00pm including Sundays 🙂
Do we have a new Ramen Nazi in Makati? Here’s our Mendokoro Ramenba experience…
Mendokoro Ramenba
Ground Floor, V Corporate Center, Soliman Street, Salcedo Village, Makati.
(at the back of V. Corporate Center where Wild Flour is located. It’s along the same road as La Creperie)
Telephone: +632 478-9625
Operating Hours: Opens Daily 11.00am to 12.00mn, Sunday to Saturday
Facebook: Mendokoro Ramen
Mendokoro Ramenba opens at exactly 11.30am, and most foodies already line up 30 minutes before just to be the first 21 customers.
The service starts with an enthusiastic chanting ritual.
You line up at the cashier station where you order, pay, and receive your order slip and guest number. Read the Mendokoro Ramen Bar System and Ramen Menu.
It’s important to know what to order ahead of time so that you don’t delay the queue.
You only have the following options: Tonkotsu Ramen – Shio, Shoyu, or Tantanmen, Karai Tokusei (Tsukemen), and Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Ramen). You can add Aji Tamago or extra Chashu. No option for Karaage or Chahan.
I love the ramen bar setup shaped like a boat, with each of the 21 seats within proximity of the open kitchen.
Tip: Best to sit at the farthest end so you don’t have people waiting behind you, eager for you to leave your seat.
You give your order slip to the ramen dispatcher who immediately assembles your delicious ramen.
✮ Shoyu Tonkotsu Ramen (P390)
I love the Shoyu of Yoshuken–thick & milky soup, bold flavor, with black garlic oil.
Best to savor the soup within 15 seconds of being served and enjoy the firm noodles quickly. The pork was thick but not as tender as I wanted it to be.
✮ Tantanmen (P440)
I prefer the Tantanmen with milky soup, minced meat, and a good chili kick.
Love the chili oil swimming in the milky soup. The serving size is just right for one person. It’s not too spicy for hardcore chili lovers.
Aji Tamago (P90)
You can order eggs on the side to complete your ramen experience.
Karai Tokusei (P470)
The Tsukemen noodles are fat and chewy with a good bite. It’s served cold and to be dipped in the spicy, flavorful sauce.
It was OK–the soup is spicy with a sour aftertaste. I still prefer the ramen.
Hiyashi Chuka (P410)
Cold noodle salad topped with vegetables and seafood, with sesame and ponzu sauce.
A great option for your vegetarian, pescetarian, or healthy-eating companions.
We love the Shoyu and Tantanmen ramen. Foodies will be happy to enjoy Yushoken ramen at the heart of Makati. I love the interiors–in my opinion, they have the best Ramen House ambiance in Manila.
Most people finish their ramen in 30 minutes. Essentially, there are four seating times–11.30, 12.00, 12.30, and 1.00. The waiting time isn’t that bad, but it’s best to be there 30 minutes before they open.
I also like their well-explained Ramen Bar System. Because the system is strict, the service is very efficient in giving you the best bowl of ramen. The people are very friendly too; you don’t feel you are eating in a Ramen Nazi place.
Pricing is similar to Yushoken in Alabang, inclusive of VAT and service charge. Ramen here is priced similarly to Ramen Nagi or Ippudo. Budget about P500/head.
Congratulations to Elbert and Ryan for the great MENDOKORO RAMENBA concept! 🙂
Mendokoro Ramenba
Ground Floor, V Corporate Center, Soliman Street, Salcedo Village, Makati.
(at the back of V. Corporate Center where Wild Flour is located. It’s along the same road as La Creperie)
Telephone: +632 478-9625
Operating Hours: Opens Daily 11.00am to 12.00mn, Sunday to Saturday
Facebook: Mendokoro Ramen
Related Blog Post: Jin Loves to Eat | Mendokoro Ramenba ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosures: We paid for our meal. I wrote this article with my own biases, opinions, and insights. Read Our Awesome Planet Complete Disclosure Policy here.
P.S. Since you can’t stay too long in Mendoro Ramenba… 
…you can cross the V. Corporate Center lobby to have dessert or coffee…
…at Toby’s Estate. Enjoy their Coffee Mocha with a bold coffee and chocolate flavor.
The concept is inspired by the authentic ramen houses in Japan.
– as a regular customer of mendokoro, i would like to correct and critique your “review” of this particular establishment because it seems obvious that you have misunderstood the concept and intent, also have posted misinformation about mendokoro ramenba.
MENDOKORO RAMENBA is the “serious ramen” reincarnation of Ramen Yushoken in Makati, by Elbert Cuenca and Ryan Cruz. They strictly serve ramen only, limited to 80-100 bowls daily, and just for dine-in during lunch or dinner. The concept is inspired by the authentic ramen houses in Japan.
– how did it become a “reincarnation”? did yushoken die? last i heard, it’s still very much around. please check the definition of reincarnation before you use the word.
– 80 bowls for lunch and 100 bowls for dinner does not equate to “80-100 bowls daily”.
Do we have a new Ramen Nazi in Makati? Here’s our Mendokoro Ramenba experience…
– do you understand why the term ramen nazi came about? it was a way to describe the mean chef of ukokkei and is not a stature or distinction to be proud of.
Mendokoro Ramenba opens at exactly 11.30am, and most foodies already line up 30 minutes before just to be the first 21 customers.
– the 11:30am schedule is for the dry run period. not all who line up are foodies. customers line up early only so that they can enter first, not necessarily the first 21.
You only have the following options: Tonkotsu Ramen – Shio, Shoyu, or Tantanmen, Karai Tokusei (Tsukemen), and Hiyashi Chuka (Cold Ramen). You can add Aji Tamago or extra Chashu. No option for Karaage or Chahan.
– you forgot to include their miso and tokusei. those items are right there on the menu.
– karaage and chahan are not available period. how can they be “options” in that case?
It was OK–the soup is spicy with a sour aftertaste. I still prefer the ramen.
– sourness is a typical trait of tsukemen in japan.
– while you find it “ok”, it just happens to be their most complex dish.
– your photo of the hiyashi chuka is the most sorry looking picture of what is otherwise their most beautifully assembled dish. you should’ve taken a picture of it before drenching it in dressing.
Most people finish their ramen in 30 minutes. Essentially, there are four seating times–11.30, 12.00, 12.30, and 1.00. The waiting time isn’t that bad, but it’s best to be there 30 minutes before they open.
– some people are done in 15 minutes. there goes your theory and concept of seating in 30 minute intervals.
– i just came from there tonight. i arrived at 7:10pm and got a seat immediately.
– i post all the above for the sake of your readers who may stand to be misinformed by your blog entry (which i recall you first spelled as mendoro before you corrected yourself).
Dear Mr. Diaz,
You need to update your information on this resto as it is erroneous. Mendokoro is now open SUN-SAT from 11am to 11pm and there is no more limit on the number of bowls served per day.
Thank you.
Please update the information. The phone number is (02) 478 9625 and the operation hours are from 11am to 12 midnight, Sunday to Saturday.
Thanks
Hi Elbert,
Updated the number and operating hours. Thanks for the feedback!
Anton